An outdoor adventure lecturer, GCSE English tutor and sixth form law lecturer have been revealed as finalists for the Pearson National Teaching Awards further education lecturer of the year. They are among 93 winners of silver awards, revealed today as part of National Thank a Teacher Day celebrations, who make up the shortlist for the gold awards that will be announced later this year. Alongside the specific FE categories for lecturer of the year and team of the year, Lakes College principal and CEO Chris Nattress has won a silver award in the education-wide lifetime achievement category. Nattress is up against five other headteachers and education leaders for the gold award. And lecturer Shona McFadyen, who teaches biology at The Corby Sixth Form, part of Bedford College Group, is up against six other silver award winners for the outstanding new teacher of the year award. The exceptional teachers, support staff, teams and leaders from early years, primary, secondary, FE and SEND have been shortlisted from thousands of nominations and have been celebrated at special surprise celebrations in their schools and colleges this morning. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson was among those congratulating the winners. Phillipson said: “On Thank a Teacher Day, I want to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. “Teachers don’t just deliver lessons – they transform lives, inspire curiosity, and build the confidence our children need to succeed. For this incredible commitment to our nation’s future, we owe our teachers our deepest gratitude.” The 93 silver award winners are now finalists for the gold award in their category. Gold awards will be announced at a glitzy ceremony later this year and in special features on BBC One’s The One Show. Receiving their silver awards for FE lecturer of the year is Jess Day, outdoor adventure lecturer at Bedford College, Lisa Charles, lecturer at North East Surrey College of Technology, Neil McMullen, academic leader at New College Lanarkshire, Teresa Bellis, teacher of law at Thomas Rotherham College and Zamzam Ali, GCSE English lecturer at Loughborough College. And the recognised FE teams of the year are Northampton College’s construction team, Gower College Swansea’s E-Sports team, Hopwood Hall College’s hair, beauty and catering team, Loughborough College’s sport team, Nottingham College’s personal social development team and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College’s ESOL team. FE silver award winners in other education-wide categories include the digital team at Basingstoke College of Technology – up for the transformational use of digital technology award – and Cary Sawbridge, a programme leader from Sunderland College, who is up for the SEND and inclusive practice award. Author Sir Michael Morpurgo, president of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. “I am delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s silver award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day.” The awards, and the Thank a Teacher Day campaign are organised by the Teaching Awards Trust and supported by Pearson. Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: “Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our silver award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements.” Further education lecturer of the year Jess Day, Lecturer in Outdoor Adventure, Bedford College Lisa Charles, Lecturer, North East Surrey College of Technology Neil McMullen, Academic Leader, New College Lanarkshire Teresa Bellis, Teacher of Law, Thomas Rotherham College Zamzam Ali, Lecturer in GCSE English, Loughborough College Further education team of the year Northampton College Construction Team, Northampton College The E-sports Team, Gower College Swansea The Hair, Beauty and Catering Team, Hopwood Hall College The Loughborough College Sport Team, Loughborough College The Personal Social Development (PSD) Team, Nottingham College The SGS Life ESOL Team, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Lifetime Achievement Carol Conway, Deputy Head, Greenfield Special School Chris Nattress, Principal and CEO, Lakes College – West Cumbria Lynn Griffiths, Headteacher, Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili Nicola Coe, Director of Maths, Inspiration Trust Sean Frankcom, Director of Music, Burford School Tracey Marquis, SENDCo, The Crest Academy SEND and Inclusive Practice – supported by the Sunday Times Abbot’s Lea School Cary Sawbridge, Programme Leader, Sunderland College Ian Bradley, Teacher of Mathematics, St Andrew’s College The Your Future Programme, On Course South West (Plymouth City Council) Trystan Wlliams, Executive Headteacher, E-ACT Venturers’ Academy Outstanding New Teacher of the Year – supported by Sunday Times & DfE Amy Hudspith, Teacher of Computing, Cramlington Learning Village Emma Pallant, Year 1 Teacher, Wood Farm Primary School Evie Askew, SEND Teacher, Mayfield School Hannah Donnelly, Reception Class Teacher, Ernesettle Community School – Plymouth Jordan Minor, Teacher, All Saints CofE VC Primary School Sam Collard, Dance Teacher, Maths Teacher (ECT Y2) and Transition & Community Lead, Cedar Mount Academy Shona McFadyen, Biology Lecturer, The Corby Sixth Form, Bedford College Transformational Use of Digital Technology – supported by Nord Anglia Education Joanne Stone, Trust Pedtech Leader, Kibworth CofE Primary School Julie Carson, Director of Education, Knockhall Primary School The Accessibility Team, The Oaks Specialist College The DHSB IT Team, Devonport High School For Boys The Digital Team, Basingstoke College of Technology The Portsmouth: The Digital City Project Team as part of Portsmouth Education Partnership Early Years Team of the Year Award Banana Moon Day Nursery-Rothwell Early Years Team Best Family Childcare Nursery Early Years Team The Eden Early Childhood Centre Team The Stanhope Primary School EY Team Y Bont Early Years Team Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School – supported by Hays Education Dan Crossman, Headteacher, Marlborough St Mary’s CofE Primary School James Parkinson, Primary Headteacher, De Lacy Primary School Rizwana Mahmood-Ahmed MBE, Headteacher, Carlton Junior and Infant School Simon Wood, Executive Headteacher, Sir Martin Froshiber Academy – Clacton-On-Sea Stuart Mycroft, Headteacher, Castleway Primary School Trudy Spillane, Principal, Drapers’ Maylands Primary School Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School – supported by Hays Education Kathryn Pugh, Headteacher, The St Marylebone CofE School Lucy Harrison, Headteacher, Archer Academy Spencer Lewis, Executive Headteacher, Yavneh College Making a Difference – Primary School of the Year The Hindsford CofE Primary School Whole School Team, Hindsford CofE Primary School The Queen’s Park Primary School Whole School Team, Queen’s Park Primary School The Sprites Primary Academy Whole School Team, Sprites Primary Academy The Tennyson Road Primary School Whole School Team, Tennyson Road Primary School Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year- supported by Step into Teaching The Moor End Academy Whole School Team, Moor End Academy The Clapton Girls’ Academy Whole School Team, Clapton Girls’ Academy The Selly Park Girls’ School Whole School Team, Selly Park Girls’ School The St Damian’s RC Science College Whole School Team, St Damian’s RC Science College The Oldham Academy North Whole School Team, The Oldham Academy North School or College Partnership of the Year – supported by Pixl Manchester Post-16 Pathway Partnership Shetland School/College Partnership Programme for S5/6 students Sidcot School and the Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) The James Montgomery Academy Trust Windsor Olympus Academy Teacher of the Year in a Primary School- supported by Randstad Chris Leeding, Class Teacher, Newhall Primary Academy and Nursery Gosia Watts, Class Teacher, Outwood Primary Academy Park Hill Jack Huson, Assistant Headteacher, St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School Jak Kirkman, Class Teacher / Music Lead, St Thomas’ CE Primary Academy Lucie Tunnicliffe, Teacher, Springfield School Mark Barnabas, Class Teacher, Trinity Academy Akroydon Rachel Anderson, Assistant Headteacher & Year 6 class teacher, Wenlock CofE Junior School Shaukat Ali, Deputy Headteacher & Year 5 Class Teacher, Marshfield Primary School Sundip Bhambra, Year 1 Class Teacher and Year Group Leader, Minet Infant School Nursery Class Zoe Turner, Assistant Head/Inclusion and KS1/EY lead & Class Teacher, Lordship Farm Primary School Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School – supported by Nord Anglia Education Carina Bone, Director of STEAM, Horris Hill School Gemma Short, Science Lead, Octagon AP Academy Jolie Bartley, Head of Performing Arts, Varndean School Josh Bartle, Assistant Headteacher, Clifton Community School Maria Riaz, Subject Leader of Business Studies & Head of Digital Faculty, Redden Court School Mary Compton, Assistant Headteacher: STEM, The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College Penny Daniel, Teacher of English and Assistant Head of House, Churcher’s College Senior School Suzanne Vickers, Associate Assistant Principal, Waterhead Academy Teaching Assistant of the Year Hardeep Bahra, Teaching Assistant (HLTA), St John’s Primary School Lisa Grinney, Teaching and Learning Assistant, Tor Bridge Primary School Nikki Wright, Teaching Assistant (TA), Packmoor Ormiston Academy Shagufta Mirza, Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Carlton Junior and Infant School Unsung Hero of the Year Anna Hicks, Pastoral Lead – Family Support and Behaviour, Bannerman Road Community Academy Jane Tonge, School Business Manager, The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School Lee Smith, Site Manager, Hethersett Academy Lisa McIntosh, Inclusion Manager/ Associate SLT, Trinity Academy Cathedral Michele Toobe, Higher Level Teaching Assistant/ Lead Professional Teaching Partner/ Emotional Literacy Support Assistant/ School Governor Clerk, Castle Hill Primary School Ruaidhrí Quinn, Class Teacher, St Patrick’s Primary School Snowhal DeAraujo, Facilities Manager, Alperton Community School Tom Guy, Sports Coach and Cover Supervisor, SS Mary and John CofE Primary School